Martin Ross wins Strathpuffer 2024
Martin Ross wins Strathpuffer 2024
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00:00 Marty, congratulations on winning this draft puffer for the second time I think it is.
00:05 Second time, oh yeah, 2019 was the first time so yeah.
00:09 Describe the feeling this time compared to last time.
00:14 Conditions were better, 2019 it was just ice you know.
00:20 Conditions this time it's a lot milder.
00:24 It's just a mad fest and then it started snowing, sort of snowy showers after midnight.
00:32 It didn't really count anything but I would say the conditions were better, well not as
00:41 challenging as 2019.
00:42 I mean we were getting the results as the race was going, you were quite well ahead.
00:48 Were you aware of where you were in the standings?
00:51 I had a bit of an idea, I don't really like knowing where I am in the standings until
00:55 about five hours ago and then taking it from there because it messes your head a wee bit
01:00 you know.
01:01 But somebody bluttered out of the course, you're 15 minutes ahead, three locks in, I
01:05 thought, oh I don't really know that.
01:07 So then you start going even harder then you know.
01:10 But the plan always is to go out fast.
01:13 It's a 24 hour race, you never get quicker, you just get slower.
01:18 So it's just a case of hanging on till the end.
01:21 Was that the game plan, just go out fast from the start and get as many laps as you can
01:26 while you're still fresh?
01:27 Aye, yeah, yeah.
01:28 I thought five laps in, I see my lock times, I thought I need to rein it in a wee bit here
01:33 you know.
01:34 But I've kind of worked out in the end, I kind of fell apart the last two laps, Kyle
01:39 was catching me up you know, but I've worked out in the end, I'm delighted.
01:44 The added prestige of having a British title as well, that must be nice too innit?
01:48 Aye, I was going to do it this year but when I heard that it was going to be the British
01:53 title I thought, I'm going to give it a bash.
01:56 You know, while I'm still reasonably fit you know, so it's all worked out.
02:02 Speaking of in the past, this is something that's been important to you during your cycling
02:07 career isn't it?
02:08 Aye, this will be my seventh one now but it's just a great event you know.
02:13 The atmosphere and just everything about it, it's just a great vibe you know.
02:19 But it's really tough.
02:25 And did I speak about a hat trick?
02:28 No.
02:29 No, I think, no, no, no, I don't even want to think about that.
02:34 You've just come out across the finishing line I guess eh?
02:36 Aye, aye, we'll see but I don't think it's going to be a hat trick.
02:41 But being a local boy just down the road from Dingwall, it's going to be a special event
02:45 for you yeah?
02:46 Oh, without a doubt yeah.
02:47 I've done a few events but this one, this is a special event.
02:50 You know, it's just everything about it.
02:52 It's the toughest mountain bike race there is so it's on your doorstep, you've got to
02:56 give it a go you know.
02:58 Did you get much of a chance to celebrate?
02:59 Did you get much sleep at all or did you just go the whole way round?
03:03 No, the plan was not to stop because once you stop, the longer you stop, the kind of
03:09 thing that sets in then you know, so I just, I never stop at all.
03:15 But you'll have a chance to celebrate tonight for me then?
03:18 I just want to sleep and then take it from there you know.
03:22 Aye, I don't think anyone can blame you but congratulations on a fantastic race.
03:25 Thanks very much.